Getting fined the equivalent of $550 for cutting down a tree might seem a little excessive, but, in 1889, in Chapel Hill residents were subjected to such a punishment.
Since then, Chapel Hill’s commitment to trees has not lessened. In 1990, the town was one of the first cities to issue a tree ordinance, and Chapel Hill has been a Tree City USA for 20 years.
In keeping with the requirements to be a Tree City USA, Chapel Hill celebrates Arbor Day, but the town, deciding that one day was not enough to capture the importance of trees, extended the celebration to a week.
As a Tree City USA, Chapel Hill must spend at least $2 per capita on forestry, have a community tree ordinance, a tree department or board and celebrate Arbor Day.
This year, Chapel Hill celebrated Arbor Week by starting the Mayor’s Tree of the Year contest. Residents were invited to send in pictures of their favorite trees, along with a description of what they like about it.
“I learned about tree programs at a mayor’s conference I attended last year. With all the local concern on cutting trees in our community, we wanted a way to get people involved in planting new trees, realizing the importance of trees and offering ways to help with our climate action plan by increasing our tree canopy,” Chapel Hill Mayor Pam Hemminger said.
A prize for first place, as well as consolation prizes to the runners-up, will be awarded once winners are picked in January.
Arbor Week was celebrated from November 15 to 22.
Chapel Hill administrators said that trees tend to do better if they are planted in the fall because they have more time to grow before the heat stress of summer.
Science teacher William Richards pointed out that it is also key to plant the correct type of tree and care for them.
“Planting the right types of trees for the environment is important, but I don’t think that people appreciate the amount of maintenance that a lot of trees require to keep them healthy,” he explained.
Every year, the Town of Chapel Hill plants a tree on its facilities. Mayor Hemminger and Ephesus Elementary students planted this year’s white oak tree on Friday, November 15.
“Trees are vital for our community in so many ways—in tree plantings this past week with children, we stress creating oxygen, providing shade, increasing habitat for wildlife and the better feeling that trees provide. There is actual evidence that less asthma and less crime happen around trees!” Hemminger said.
This year, Chapel Hill is also starting a 200 Trees for 200 years program, an initiative to plant a tree for each year since the founding of Chapel Hill’s municipal government.
“Arbor Day and Arbor Week were created as ways to engage the community and the children in our community to think about the role that trees play in their lives. Our hope is that activities planned will build awareness about the importance of our trees and provide residents with ways to engage in community building activities,” Kevin Robinson, Chapel Hill’s Park Maintenance Superintendent, said.
When asked to select her favorite tree, Mayor Hemminger chose the large oak in front of Fire Station 1.
“I think of it as one of the guardians to our town. We have lost so many of the large trees downtown in the last few years because life in an urban environment is hard on trees, but this one has a large patch of land, and I am hopeful it will continue to watch over our town,” she said.
